Evaluation of the DSM

Question 1

+ Field trials show agreement in disorders (reliability)

Answer 1

Field trials of the DSM demonstrated impressive levels of agreement between clinicians for a variety of disorders. Regier et al. reported that three disorders had kappa values ranging from 0.60 to 0.79 (very good) - inter-rater reliability

Question 2

+ WHO study showed consistency (reliability)

Answer 2

A WHO study found that diagnosis using the DSM was consistent across a range of countries, Russia being one where there is very high reliabilty - inter-rater reliability

Question 3

• Beck et al. found low agreement (reliability)

Answer 3

Beck et al. looked at reliability between 2 psychiatrists when considering 154 patients using the DSM, finding they agreed only 54% of the time - low inter-rater reliability

Question 4

+ Could diagnose ADHD in Korean children (validity)

Answer 4

Lee found that the DSM could be used to diagnose ADHD in Korean children - predictive validity

Question 5

• Cultural differences

Answer 5

Evrard shows how hearing voices can be because of mental disorders but in some cultures is seen as an exceptional spiritual experience - cultural validity

Question 6

• Reductionist

Answer 6

It has been argued that splitting a mental disorder into symptoms is reductionist and key features about the experience of having the disorder are missed - aeteological validity